Do you know who the top teams in the area are?
If so, please let Bounce know, because every night of games seems to throw a wrench into what he thinks.
Who are the best teams in the SAC? South Side and…who?
What about the NE8? Columbia City? Huntington North?
Is a small school with big talent the best out of anyone locally?
For this week, that team, Westview, remains No. 1.
After the Archers at No. 2, it’s anyone’s guess.
#1 WESTVIEW WARRIORS (15-1, 7-0 NECC)
Since a loss at Northridge on Dec. 1, Westview has won 14-consecutive games. That includes the NECC Tournament earlier this month and a pair of victories over Fairfield in a matter of an eight-day span. Fairfield, as you will read later, is no slouch.
This team can score in bunches and plays lock-down defense. Yes, it has played just one school from Allen County (a 10-point victory over Leo on Dec. 30), but the Warriors will be tested on Saturday afternoon when they host Blackhawk Christian.
Either Coach Chandler Prible’s team shows it belongs atop the power poll against the Braves or it doesn’t. That simple.
Why not higher?
By the rules, Bounce’s Power Poll has no team higher than No. 1.
#2 SOUTH SIDE ARCHERS (16-1, 6-1 SAC)
South moves up a spot this week, having won three-straight games since losing at home to Homestead on Jan. 9. Even with that loss, the SAC title is still well within reach, with league games against Bishop Luers and Wayne over the next week.
What is scary about these Archers is the fact that seven of its top eight scorers are underclassmen. That means this shouldn’t be a one-hit wonder for South.
As it stands, the Archers will likely get another shot at Homestead in sectional play. South hasn’t won a sectional since 2007.
Why not higher?
You can definitely make the argument that the Archers should be at No. 1, a spot they were in earlier in the season. Based on Westview’s game against Blackhawk Christian, Coach J.J. Foster’s team could be one spot farther up next week.
#3 NEW HAVEN BULLDOGS (14-4, 5-0 NE8)
After the top two spots this week, things get really tough. New Haven lost to Homestead by four a week ago, then showed its mettle in an OT win on the road at Columbia City over the weekend to stay perfect in the Northeast Eight.
Other than Fishers (48 straight wins), everyone has an off night at some point.
Another big showdown looms this Saturday at Huntington North. With a win, New Haven will clinch the NE8 championship.
Why not higher?
Recent loss to Homestead holds the Bulldogs back a bit. Circle Feb. 26, New Haven at South Side in regular-season finale.
#4 BLACKHAWK CHRISTIAN BRAVES (12-5)
A blowout loss to Homestead a few weeks ago still looms large in Bounce’s mind. However, edging Wayne 67-64 last weekend was impressive and earns the Braves a high spot this week.
Coach Matt Roth’s team has some big matchups coming up, with Westview, Snider and South Side over the course of the next three weeks.
Why not higher?
Blackhawk Christian does not have a winning streak longer than three games all year. The Braves are playing a challenging schedule, but Bounce is waiting for them to go on a run and show they are primed for another run to regionals, at least.
#5 WAYNE GENERALS (11-7, 5-1 SAC)
Still in the hunt for a SAC championship, the Generals will get Homestead and South Side in the span of four days next week. That will be telling not just for league bragging rights, but sectional chances in a field that includes both of those teams.
While a three-point loss to Blackhawk Christian last weekend was a blemish, it was a hard-fought game on the road that Wayne came out looking better in Bounce’s mind. Prior to that setback, the Generals hadn’t lost to an area team since Snider on Dec. 12.
Wayne is playing another beefed-up schedule where it has taken its lumps with a reasonably young rosters. It could pay dividends in March.
Why not higher?
A loss is a loss, and we need to keep Wayne behind Blackhawk Christian due to the recent defeat.
#6 NORTH SIDE LEGENDS (9-7, 3-3 SAC)
We thought it would take a year for new/former coach Shabaz Khaliq to settle in at North. Turns out, it was only about two months.
The Legends have won six straight and eight of nine, the lone loss being at Wayne on Jan. 9 and including victories over Huntington North and Homestead.
Senior Seb Moore has been a standout scorer, but the junior class has stepped up, particularly point guard Max Goheen, who is a key distributor and is hitting 43 percent from three.
North Side is largely out of the SAC title chase, but could be a threat to win a sectional, which would be a phenomenal achievement in Year 1 of Khaliq-era 2.0.
Why not higher?
Seven losses.
#7 SNIDER PANTHERS (11-6, 5-2 SAC)
Just a few weeks ago, Snider was sitting No. 2 in the Power Poll. What made the Panthers fall five spots?
The road loss to Carroll last Friday, that’s what. Now, the Chargers are a pretty solid team, but the loss took Bounce by surprise, and probably Coach Josh Riikonen by surprise too.
However, like we mentioned above, it’s a season where nobody is perfect around here, and the loss ended an eight-game winning streak. Provided the Panthers get back on track against Bishop Dwenger on Thursday, Snider isn’t going anywhere.
Why not higher?
In hindsight, dropping five spots for a loss is kind of rough. But hey, Bounce is here to light a fire under some teams if the need arises. So Panthers, your move.
#8 HOMESTEAD SPARTANS (12-5, 4-2 SAC)
Can someone figure out Homestead? Bounce just can’t.
The Spartans are 3-3 in their last six games, with losses to Snider, Columbia City and North Side, all by double digits. But Coach Chris Johnson’s team did rebound with a road victory last week at New Haven.
The schedule doesn’t lighten up, with Sparty at undefeated Oak Hill on Saturday and a visit to Wayne next Tuesday.
Why not higher?
Homestead, like Snider, dropped considerably from the last power poll a few weeks ago. But the Spartans are still extremely dangerous.
#9 COLUMBIA CITY EAGLES (10-3, 3-2 NE8)
It has been a fiercely-competitive few weeks for Columbia City, who have captured victories over Warsaw, Homestead and an upstart DeKalb squad but fallen in NE8 contests with Huntington North and New Haven.
The New Haven loss, a three-point overtime setback at home last Saturday, was particularly disappointing, as it largely eliminated the Eagles from conference title contention.
That said, the stretch run will be incredibly important, as Columbia City is still a team that has a good shot at its second-straight sectional championship.
Why not higher?
Compared to some of the teams above them, Columbia City’s three losses may mean to some that the Eagles should be higher. But January was a bit of an up-and-down month for the team. Bounce is in wait-and-see mode.
#10 JAY COUNTY PATRIOTS (13-2, 4-0 ACAC)
Coach Tyler Rigby’s team continues to impress, fresh off an ACAC Tournament title and on the strength off 11-straight victories.
Coach Rigby may be in his first season as head coach, but he has a veteran group of juniors and seniors to lean on as the team continues to pile up wins.
A looming showdown with Heritage next Friday will probably decide the conference championship. This group is eyeing bigger things, including a sectional title for the first time in 15 years.
Why not higher?
The strength of schedule isn’t the best, but it does stiffen over the season’s final month, including a road game at Norwell on Feb. 20.
OTHERS IN CONSIDERATION (alphabetical)
Angola, 12-5
Bluffton, 12-4
Carroll, 8-9
DeKalb, 10-6
Fairfield, 12-5
Heritage, 14-3
Huntington North, 11-5
Norwell, 10-5
These opinions represent those of Bounce and Outside the Huddle. No opinions expressed on Outside the Huddle represent those of any of our advertisers. Follow Bounce on Twitter at Bounce_OTH
Be the first to comment